It was an ugly start for electronic voting on national contracts. For the first time in more than a decade, the Hoffa administration tried to deny members and vote count observers the right to see the ballot count results from each local union. But after a week of delays and inquiries by TDU attorney Barbara Harvey, the IBT relented, and turned over the ABF vote totals to TDU's designated observer John Palmer.

In today’s dysfunctional economic climate, straightforward bargaining frequently comes up empty. Employers come to the table with lengthy lists of takeaways and refuse to compromise. Claiming impasse at the earliest opportunity, they threaten to carry out their final offer or impose a lockout.